Make a resolution to save your life: know your family health history
The most common new year’s resolutions involve better health and weight loss. Americans also frequently resolve to spend more time with family. Both of these goals can be met by making one singular resolution: to know your family health history.
In a recent Ask the Doctor interview with gastroenterologist Jack Brandabur, M.D., the physician was asked about the message he would like to give to readers. In addition to the importance of colon cancer screening, Brandabur suggested that readers know their health history so that, together with their physicians, they can make decisions about the kinds of screening tests that might be needed.
“Talk to family members and communicate with your physician. It can really help your health care provider to look for things and provide good care.”
The first step to understanding your health history is to connect with family members. Talk to parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles to get as much information as possible. Ask about conditions that have been diagnosed and the age at which the diagnosis occurred. Several major health organizations provide useful guidelines and forms for compiling a health history which can then be shared with your health care provider.
